Cannabis and Quality of Life in Seniors

A GENERATION OF MISINFORMATION

For decades, cannabis has been portrayed by the media as an illegal drug used by people to get high, and that the only people who use it are drug addicts and hippies. As more countries embrace the legalization of medical cannabis, these negative stigmas are unveiled simply as scare-tactics used by those who don’t believe in its medicinal benefits.

With greater legalization comes a flurry of new products tailored to provide the benefits of medicinal cannabis without the need to smoke. CBD, the predominant non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, can be delivered in multiple ways such as oils, creams, edibles, and ingestible tinctures. CBD offers all of its benefits (of which there are many) without getting users high. This makes it particularly intriguing for seniors.

Most seniors don’t know that medical cannabis can improve their quality of life, or how the cannabis plant has undergone a cultural shift in perspective. Because CBD can be delivered as an isolated extract, older people can use it without having to inhale smoke, and without the presence of the chief psychotropic compound THC. Of course, this is not to say that seniors cannot opt to smoke a joint or two if they want to.

HOW CAN SENIORS BENEFIT FROM CANNABIS?

CANNABIS IS SAFER THAN COMMONLY PRESCRIBED MEDS

Seniors take prescription drugs on a daily basis, but the side effects of cannabis are insignificant compared to those of the most common pharmaceutical drugs. Note that not a single person has died from a THC overdose.

Furthermore, cannabis contains powerful antioxidants that can provide relief for a number of illnesses faced by seniors, such as liver inflammation due to Hepatitis C, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), lupus, and other serious conditions that involve oxidative and inflammation damage.

CANNABIS IS NOT ADDICTIVE

Seniors grew up in a time of drug misinformation, to the point where some still believe they’ll get addicted to cannabis the moment they use it. People can actually use cannabis on a daily basis and still be able to stop when they want to. What’s more, abruptly stopping the use of cannabis doesn’t have the same adverse withdrawal symptoms as smoking tobacco or drinking.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT STRAINS OF CANNABIS

There are different strains of cannabis, each with its own benefits and effects. You’ll have strains that are intended for chronic pain, strains to keep you energised and focussed, and strains to help with sleep disorders like insomnia. With more options than ever before, finding the right strain just got easier.

THERE ARE STRAINS OF CANNABIS THAT DON’T GET YOU HIGH

Many seniors have admitted wanting to use cannabis as long as they don’t get high. And believe it or not, there are numerous strains on the market that offer the combined benefits of CBD, terpenes, and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids, but without THC.

THERE ARE MORE WAYS TO USE CANNABIS

Another misconception that most seniors have with cannabis is that they have to smoke it to gain the medicinal benefits. As mentioned, there a variety of ways to ingest cannabis, from edible baked goods to all manner of extracts. One of the most popular methods of intake among seniors is in the form of an oil or tincture, which allows for quick absorption by dropping liquid beneath the tongue. This way, there is no smoking necessary. Edibles are another good way to incorporate the benefits of cannabis, while masking the taste.

CANNABIS-INFUSED OINTMENTS ARE EFFECTIVE FOR ARTHRITIS AND NEUROPATHY PAIN RELIEF

There is a growing market of medicated creams infused with cannabis that are great for providing relief from muscle pain, back pain, and sore joints. They’re very effective and they smell nice. They also don’t get you high, so it’s completely safe to use throughout the day.

CANNABIS DOES NOT LOWER IQ OR CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE

Another tall tale of using cannabis is its association with causing brain damage. There is no conclusive study that shows cannabis can cause brain damage by killing brain cells. In fact, there are studies where Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients were helped by cannabis. The substance is said to encourage the growth of new neural pathways, thereby allowing those with impaired brain function to halt further brain degeneration and support proper brain function.

CANNABIS CAN INCREASE APPETITE

One of the most dangerous health risks that senior citizens face is loss of appetite, contributing to extreme weight loss. Cannabis has been successful in providing relief for nausea and generally stimulating appetite. A new study^[1] published in the American Journal of Epidemiology finds a connection between cannabis use and body weight, showing that rates of obesity are lower by a third in people who smoke cannabis at least three times a week, compared to those who don’t use cannabis at all.

THE STIGMA OF CANNABIS IS REPLACED BY SCIENCE

Seniors are now the fastest-growing population of new medicinal cannabis users, and there’s no other reason for this surge than the fact that cannabis has been working for them. The negative stigma that’s always been associated with cannabis has now been replaced by science. However, more studies are still being done on cannabis to explore its full potential.

THE BOTTOMLINE

Cannabis is a natural remedy that is being invoked for treating a growing list of ailments. As such, seniors and their family members should not be quick to shut down cannabis when used for medicinal purposes.